A critical connection between the Willamette River and Delta Ponds is restored following years of abuse and inappropriate “engineering.” Public Works crews created an inlet weir as part of the Delta Ponds capital project in 2005. The intent was to allow water to flow into the Delta Ponds when the river was high.
Over the years illegal campers used rock to add to the weir for dry passage to a favorite camp site. Vegetation then started growing in the elevated weir and trapping even more debris and further raising the channel’s bottom.
Last month, public works crews from natural areas and engineering returned the weir to its designed height. They’re also working with a contractor to install a fence near the bike path. This will help keep illegal campers and their bikes out of the area.